BBC’s iPlayer, Promises of Platform Neutrality

Posted Friday 8th February 2008 by Tom P in Uncategorized.

The BBC’s iPlayer software is to become available for Apple Mac users by the end of 2008. The statement was made by the corporation’s director Mark Thompson in a blog on the BBC website.

This comes as a direct response to the corporation’s regulators demanding access to non Windows users. The BBC had previously stated that iPlayer software for Mac and Linux users would depend upon cost. In effect they have already achieved this with the streaming component of the iPlayer; but the downloadable program has proved to be troublesome and expensive.

Mr Thompson argued that the BBC was aiming to get the iPlayer to all users in the shortest timeframe possible. This does however only apply to the downloadable iPlayer software; those who wish to view programs through the streaming system can use any type of PC

Mr Thompson heralded the move as further evidence of the BBC’s commitment to providing downloadable iPlayer software for all platforms and not just Windows. Growing criticism has forced the BBC to carry out this move as those with non Windows PCs were denied access to the downloadable service.

The BBC has backed independence and neutrality since its inception and would not like to be accused of promoting another ‘Microsoft monopoly.’ This was apparently the best way for the system to reach the widest audience. With over 250,000 people already using the service regularly the BBC said it was matching the predicted goals for the system. They hope to have over half a million regular users by April of this year and with the addition of Mac users this number is sure to grow.

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